The South Cyprus –based English language newspaper Cyprus Mail featured an announcement for ‘Multiculturalism in Cyprus: A Historical Tour of Nicosia’ on January 9th 2010. The article also appeared in the newspaper’s online edition under the heading of ‘Face to face with history: north and south’.

Face to face with history: north and south

A CHANCE to revisit historical places we pass every day, and in the company of experts, is the aim of a tour to various historically significant sites in both north and south Nicosia on Saturday, January 15.

This bi-communal effort, entitled Tracing Multiculturalism in Cyprus: A Historical Tour of Nicosia, which is being organised by the Post Research Institute in cooperation with the Cypriot Teachers Platform of United Cyprus, aims to bring both communities together and remind them of Nicosia’s rich history.

“We want people to realise that we pass these important places all the time, but may not really take it in,” said Loizos Loukaides, member and coordinator of the Cypriot Teachers Platform of United Cyprus. Loukaides also works together with the Post RI.

The tour will be able to answer questions that you may never have thought of such as, the name of the river that used to flow through Nicosia, dividing it in two or for how long Nicosia has been the capital of the island.

There will be two tour guides for the “cultural walk”: one for the north and one for the south and a number of sights have been chosen from both sides for their historical and cultural significance. Selimiye Mosque, Buyuk Han, Sultan Mahmud Library and Mevlevi Lodge are just some of the sights in the north, while in the south the visits will include the Phaneromeni church and school, Omeriye Mosque, Chrysaliniotissa neighbourhood and the Dragoman’s Mansion.

“It’s not only the historical significance but the culture of Nicosia that we want to show through this, and to show it to the academics too,” said Loukaides.

The Post RI is a bi-communal, non-profit, non-political organisation established in 2002 to work for the cultural, social and environmental betterment of the island. The Platform, that was established in 2004 by both Greek and Turkish Cypriot teachers works towards a school of reunification instead of one of division. Loukaides said that the Platform wants to contribute to collaboration between educators, students and society for both communities.

The tour group will meet at 10am at the Ledra street check point on the northern side of Nicosia. Lunch is included and the tour will end by 4pm. The common language will be English but translations into Turkish and Greek will be provided.

The project is being funded by the UNDP-ACT/USAID.

Anyone wanting to participate can get in contact with Loizos Loukaides on 99578067,loizos_loukaides@msn.com or Mine Kanol 05338611592, mine@postri.org by 4pm this Wednesday to register. Priority is being given to history teachers.

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About POST Research Institute

POST is a non-profit, non-political organization set up by a group of people to work for the cultural, social, and environmental betterment of Cyprus and established at 2002.
Vision: To contribute towards achieving an alternative sustainable future, which comprises of an egalitarian Cypriot society, that recognizes the dignity of every living being.
Mission:
• On the basis of social equality/justice:
o To contribute for creating an open dialogue on issues of peace education and reconciliation and working actively for the unification of the island.
o To take action against gender discrimination based on one’s sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression for achieving positive social transformation.
o To advance, sensitize and advocate for a multicultural and diverse society in which all differences are recognized, understood and accepted.
• To excel as an Institute in the execution of research and participatory action.
• To strengthen research capacity in Cyprus.
• To strive for ecological sustainability through the prevention of environmental degradation and destruction.